How to pronounce shamash
Say it like shuh-MAHSH. Shamash has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MAHSH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce shamash. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- shuh
- MAHSH
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Shamash pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- shuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- MAHSHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of shamash
American and British speakers say shamash in essentially the same way: /ʃəˈmɑʃ/ in the US and /ʃəˈmæʃ/ in the UK.
British respelling: shuh-MASH.
What does shamash mean?
- The candle used to light the other eight candles of a Hanukkah menorah or hanukkiah.
- A sexton in a synagogue.
Words that rhyme with shamash
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of shamash.
Questions about saying shamash
How do you pronounce shamash?
Say shuh-MAHSH. The American pronunciation is /ʃəˈmɑʃ/. In British English it is /ʃəˈmæʃ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in shamash?
Shamash has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MAHSH). Broken into parts: shuh · MAHSH.
Do Americans and Brits say shamash the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ʃəˈmɑʃ/ and the British form is /ʃəˈmæʃ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.